classroom party w/tree nut allergy????

[beachgrl001]

OK so I am the classroom parent for my ds5 kindergarden class. We have to plan the halloween party and one of the kids has a severe treenut allergy. Has anyone one had any experience with this type of thing?

I want to be very careful and dont want this one child to be singled out by not being able to eat what the other kids eat. so any suggestions? like if there are cupcakes do they have to be made a certain way?
Thanks for any help

 

[kevschickee]

Everything should be store bought with the ingrediants list till on it. IMO that is the only way to know what is in the food and less of a chance of cross contamination.

 

[lbuzz52]

I would talk to the parent or maybe a school director. My dd has a kid who is allergic to everything and they have found many allergen free products. Maybe they can suggest a few things so you can include the child in the menu. The child is probably somewhat used to having to be excluded from parts of menus or having to eat separately so maybe it won't bither him as much as it seems it might?

 

[Minniemama350]

I have not dealt with a tree nut allergy specifically, but I have a few ideas from other nut allergies.

Somewhere I saw a monster that could be made out of veggies. There is a book called "Go Away Big Green Monster." You can use your imagination as to what veggies are what. Read the story and have the kids add a piece at a time. Then as the narrator tells each piece to go away, the kids eat that piece.

You can also get jello and put gummy bugs in it (put it in a clear solo type cup). You could have the kids help mixe the jello in small groups and add their gummy bugs to the jello. Then they could eat their bugs during snacktime or after lunch.

Get lollipops and black pipe cleaners and make spiders(Pop is the body, twist 4 pipes around it so that you get 8 legs.)

Hope this helps. No chocolate or nuts involved!

 

[dormouse72]

Have the teacher speak with the parent - odds are they are used to this and are able to prepare "swaps", or at the least give a list of things their child can eat safely.

I was bringing in cupcakes for a class party and thankfully remembered to check with the teacher (this child had a gluten-allergy...talk about panic when my daughter brought home the note saying that! I had 36 cupcakes cooling in my kitchen!!). The parents had "special cupcakes" which the mother dropped off at school. The teacher simply passed out that cupcake to that child. The cupcakes can all be decorated in a similar fashion so one doesn't stand out.

Some brands are better about labelling for nut allergies better than others - M&M/Mars is very good (they flat out say that they may contain peanut dust). Read labels carefully for oils - many prepared foods use peanut oil, so things which don't seem like they have nuts actually might.

 

[brymolmom]

I would get a list of acceptable party items from the parent of the child.

 

[cinderella73]

I am the mom of a child with a similar allergy.Thank you for considering how hard it is for the allergic child and looking for safe things everyone can enjoy.

Something interesting to note that even a lot of parents of allergic children do not know at first is that the law does not state that a company have to list anything other than " intended ingredients" . Most people think if you just read the label you know if its safe. Not true.

Example: Entemans has some products with out nuts in the ingredients but no warnings that they are made on shared lines . I just called Mrs. Smith to find out if their pumpkin pie was safe for my son since it has no nut warnings or ingredients. Turns out they are made on shared lines that are not even washed down just airbrushed. ( Thats why its so hard on these kids and parents) Some of these companies are so irresponsible! No way to know on anything for sure but to call.

Anyway sorry to get longwinded. Fruits and veggies are always great of course but if you need a quick dessert type treat here are some companies I personally spoke with that verified they are made on dedicated equipment.

Nabisco Oreos regular ( had a incident a few years back now on dedicated equipment) ( Nilla Wafers and Teddy Grams are safe as well)

Any Pepperidge Farm Goldfish including the new smores ones are safe ( but not the holiday chocolate covered ones)

Hostess has several safe products but you have to call the 800 number and they will tell you what codes in your area to look for to know they are made in a dedicated nut free facility ( They have some safe cupcakes and doughnuts)

Kellogs cereals are also safe ( they list if anything is on shared lines)

Philly Swirl ices and ice pops ( but not ice cream cupcakes)

Anything at all made by Tootsie Roll is great! Junior Mints, Tootsie Rolls, Sugar Daddies , etc

 

[cinderella73]

I have not dealt with a tree nut allergy specifically, but I have a few ideas from other nut allergies.

Somewhere I saw a monster that could be made out of veggies. There is a book called "Go Away Big Green Monster." You can use your imagination as to what veggies are what. Read the story and have the kids add a piece at a time. Then as the narrator tells each piece to go away, the kids eat that piece.

You can also get jello and put gummy bugs in it (put it in a clear solo type cup). You could have the kids help mixe the jello in small groups and add their gummy bugs to the jello. Then they could eat their bugs during snacktime or after lunch.

Get lollipops and black pipe cleaners and make spiders(Pop is the body, twist 4 pipes around it so that you get 8 legs.)

Hope this helps. No chocolate or nuts involved!

Cute ideas!
By the way Haribo Gummies are all nut free as are Kellogs gummies. If anyone needs to ever melt down a safe nut free chocolate or make safe chocolate chip cookies we found Bakers chocolate chips to be safe. ( not Nestle)

Also Nestle does also not list for possible cross contamination at all . So even if it looks safe it has a chance of trace allergens. ( Mickey Bars and Itsakoodoozies at Disney World being the only exception - Made on dedicated lines)

 

[pennymom]

My DS7 has a tree nut allergy...so thank you for taking the time to look into the best way to handle it! My DS is allowed to have foods that have "May contain tree nuts" and other warnings as long as the food does not actually contain tree nuts as an ingredient. Those types of warnings are not required by law to be listed on the package, so just because there isn't one doesn't mean it wasn't in a factory that makes other products with tree nuts. I would check with the teacher about what foods to bring, as they have usually dealt with allergies before. He/She will check with the parent to see what's safe.

 

[Victoria J]

You are so awesome for considering this and being concerned about the child being left out!. My DS5 has a severe peanut and tree nut allergy. Yes, he is used to being excluded from things like eating cake at birthday parties, but the look on his face still absolutely breaks my heart every time I have to witness it. I would definitely check with the parents to see if they have any specific recommendations. A few things to keep in mind. Anything purchased from a grocery store bakery or other bakery is likely processed on the same equipment as products containing nuts. Baking at home could be safe or not. Even with washing baking sheets, there could be some residual nut oil or something to that effect left on it. Cupcakes could be a decent option. If you buy a cake mix and frosting and double check the ingredients (labeling is pretty good these days-but I only trust it if the label has a list of specific allergens) and then bake them in cupcake liners, you should be OK. Just make sure that if you need to use any butter/margarine, you don't use something that could have been previously contaminated (i.e. using the same knife to spread butter and peanut butter-OK, I know it sounds icky, but its a fact of life-lots of people do it). The parents may really appreciate if you ask anyone who is bringing food items to bring them in the original packaging so they can check the ingredients. It's really amazing ~ even things like gummy bears (certain brands) are processed on the same equipment as items containing nuts. Again, my thanks to you for being concerned about this. I know it's a hassle for anyone who hasn't had to deal with it first hand. We absolutely hate having to ask about ingredients everywhere we go and grilling people on potential cross contamination issues. Of course I don't think twice about doing it because it means keeping my son safe. BUT it's still frustrating to always have to talk about it and single him out. Hope this helps!

 

[cinderella73]

My husband just told me that any Hostess products by us in Pennsylvania that have 68 87 stamped before the date code are made in nut free facilitys.

I saw you were in Jersey so it might be the same by you. I would still call and check. But it might be safer to pick up the Hostess cupcakes over making them yourself. I would hate the see the kid have a reaction to residue somewhere that day and the mom would think it was you that wasnt careful. I am sure that wouldnt be the case but it just helps protect you as well .

Of course I am sure the parent will be the best deciding factor but just wanted to throw that one last thing in before I pop off the boards.

 

[skw444]

Thank you for trying to include the allergic child. My dd has a severe peanut and tree nut allergy so I'm very familiar with this. I would definitely talk to the parent. I usually volunteer to bring the cupcakes so that I know that they are safe. As a rule, my dd is only allowed to eat store bought items where I can read the ingredients. Anything that is homemade is off limits for us because I don't know what all is in it. Another thing to keep in mind is the warning "Processed on equipment or in a facility that processes nuts". We haven't been able to find candy corn that is safe for us. Also, things like Gummi bears and jelly beans...some brands are safe and some aren't.

 

[daisyduck123]

1st grade teacher chiming in

This situation has been handled a couple of different ways in my classroom over the years:

1) the parents of the allergic child sent in their own party food for their child

2) the parents of the allergic sent in an "approved cake mix, frosting, etc" & I sent it home with the child of the mom that would be doing the baking for the class party. This way, we knew that the homemade party food was safe for the child.

 

[disneycruising]

I am also a mother of 2 boys with life threating food allergies to ALL NUTS.

Let me start by saying what a great person you are for taking this on. For including the child in your plans. I can not tell you how many times no one has done this for my children. I truly wish more parents were like you.

The only way to know for sure what is safe for that child is to talk with the parents directly. Every parent of a food allergic child has different levels of comfort.

When my boys were little, we had a family rule of NOTHING that did not come from home. So, I always baked the cupcakes or cookies for the class party. As they have gotten older (14 & 11.5) we say ask before you eat & it has to have a label.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Another thanks for checking this out. DGS has peanut allergies. He is in a "peanut free" preschool for the first time this year. My suggestion is to assume nothing. Ask for the parent's number, or if that is not allowed, ask that your # be given to her and talk with her. Also be sure of your school's rules, Are homemade items allowed or does everything have to be bakery or prepackaged? We often have troble finding bakery items that are safe. I Always offer to bring the cupcakes or other sweet treat so I can make them for everyone and they still be safe for my little one. You have to read everything everytime! I will not make suggestions other that fresh foods such as fruits and veggies and cheese simply arranged to look special, as packages tend to change. One size of a certain candy bar is safe, another size no!!!
Again, you are very thoughtful, many parents are not so much!

 

[mjkacmom]

Betty Crocker cake mix and frosting is made in plants without nuts. It's the only brand I buy now.

 

[luvmy3]

I am also a mother of 2 boys with life threating food allergies to ALL NUTS.

Let me start by saying what a great person you are for taking this on. For including the child in your plans. I can not tell you how many times no one has done this for my children. I truly wish more parents were like you.

The only way to know for sure what is safe for that child is to talk with the parents directly. Every parent of a food allergic child has different levels of comfort.

When my boys were little, we had a family rule of NOTHING that did not come from home. So, I always baked the cupcakes or cookies for the class party. As they have gotten older (14 & 11.5) we say ask before you eat & it has to have a label.

ITA with the bolded. Ds was recently diagnosed with a tree nut allergy, but he is not allergic to all nuts. He is able to eat certain things, but as a precaution we do not allow (also doc advice) to eat certain things even if they are *safe*. If you could get the parents email, I'm sure they wouldn't mind giving you a list of safe foods, or manufacturers that their child could eat. In fact they would be probably be grateful for your consideration for their child's safety and wanting to include them. You wouldn't believe the amount of people I have read about that don't care, or think the parents (of the allergy child) are just over re-acting about what their child can eat, thank you for not being one of them.

 

[jacksmomma]

I
You can also get jello and put gummy bugs in it (put it in a clear solo type cup). You could have the kids help mixe the jello in small groups and add their gummy bugs to the jello. Then they could eat their bugs during snacktime or after lunch.

Be aware, if there are any vegetarian children in the class they will not be able to enjoy this treat as Jello is made from ground up animal bones.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Thank you for considering children with allergies!!!!

My daughter has a huge list of foods that she can't eat. I always REALLY appreciate when parents take her into consideration. Because of the size of her list of unsafe foods I always make sure to just provide alternatives myself (I can't expect people to be able to figure out how to make her something that's safe and I don't want to put her in a position of having to refuse something that was made with obvious love), but I need to know about food being brought to the classroom in order to do this. Every year I've asked teachers to let parents know that there's a child with food allergies and that her parents could use a day's notice before bringing food for the class. It's even in her IEP (she's autistic so she also has an IEP for that). I've NEVER gotten the advanced notice. A few times room parents have called me to inform me of what I'm expected to provide for the class (not asking, telling) but the usually seem offended when I ask for details about what's being provided for everybody. I explain that I'll gladly provide my part for the class but that I need to know what everybody is being served so I can provide something similar but safe for my daughter with allergies. Yes, they usually get annoyed and yes I ask the way I said it here. I generally keep a box of one of her favourite treats in the classroom for occasions when parents send in food without any notice. She still gets upset sometimes but she manages. Parents don't seem to mind when I ask about food for parties (they always offer to try to do something themselves, bless their hearts, but after I thank them profusely I explain that it's extremely complicated to ensure safety and thank them again for the offer) and she goes over to friends' houses with her own food provided by me, but for some reason classroom parents object to me even asking what's being provided.